Westminster-California Branch, U.S.A. / April 2010 - Contributor: Pankaj Rastogi

WESTMINSTER-CALIFORNIA BRANCH 2010 GASSHUKU

Westminster-California Shorinji Kempo Branch held their Annual Gasshuku on Saturday May 27, 2010. The theme this year was Kata. All branches were asked to perform Kata in any format; Single (Tan en), Group (Dantai) or Pair (Sotai). A total of six branches participated in the Gasshuku; Caltech, Industry Sheriff, Los Angeles, San Diego, Southbay and Westminster. Fifty-seven students and teachers attended the Gasshuku ranging from 8-kyu to 6-dan.

On a near perfect weather day in sunny California (75 Deg F / 24C) the Gasshuku started with an introduction of the all the Branch Masters and teachers: Kawamata Branch Master (San Diego), Sean Sensei (Caltech), Meyer Branch Master (Caltech), Miyata Sensei (Southbay), Wei-chih Branch Master (Industry Sheriff), Mizuno Branch Master (Los Angeles) and Rastogi Branch Master (Westminster). This was followed up by Sean Sensei leading chinkon and Wei-chih BM (AKA Richard) conducting basic (Kihon) practice. During kihon practice Richard sensei reviewed various combinations of punches and kicks with the importance of Tai sabaki when doing a jodan jun zuki and chudan gyaku zuki.

After kihon practice was finished, all branches were able to practice for 30 minutes before going on to the stage to perform their Katas. Westminster Branch ferried their children and adults students by rank on to the stage to perform their Katas. Everyone seemed nervous performing in front of other kenshi, parents and friends. The Katas became progressively more advanced between the Children/Adult Kyu and dan ranks as the kenshi went on the stage. The 2nd branch to perform was from Caltech (Sean Sensei). Sean performed a flawless Tenchi ken 1-6, with loud kiai and great spirit!!! This was followed by Industry Sherriff, Los Angeles, San Diego and completed with Southbay branch kenshi who conducted a unique Tan en and Sotai form katas from Tenchi ken 1-6. Industry Sheriff and Los Angeles branches katas/embu movements were done in perfect synchronicity.

All of the branches recognized the kenshi who ran the Los Angeles and Tokyo Marathon (Lisa Umeda, Nina Rastogi and Mike Hagiwara) followed by a Children/Adult race across the dojo floor and back. The winners of the race were Justin Nguyen and Takuma Yonekawa. It is truly amazing to see how fast kenshi can run when given the challenge!!! They both placed so much heart and energy into the race that their feet barely touched the ground!!!!

All of the kenshi that performed their kata's received a gift basket for their hard work and Great Spirit they showed to everyone!!! Lectures by each of the Branch Masters ended the morning session. The funniest lecture has to be Uekuma BM and Kawamata BM. Kawamata BM used funny statements like "Yeah Baby, this is what Shorinji Kempo is about and we are having fun". Just as Uekuma BM started quoting Kinichiro Matsuda BMs speech about "Nigeru na", Wasurero, Tanoshi, one of the children got up and left as escaped the speech... Everyone received a great laugh!!!

Once the children and respective parents went home, the adult Kyu and Dan kenshi put on the Do (Chest Protectors) and were split into two groups to focus on the advanced Goho techniques. Sean Sensei/Meyer BM helped the Kyu kenshi and Richard BM/Pankaj BM taught the Dan kenshi. Rastogi BM demonstrated do (body protector) kicking techniques. Three main areas of Seiho (Pressure points) were covered on the body; Suigetsu, mae sanmai, yoko san mai.

The last hour of practice was Juho based, where Kawamata BM, Uekuma BM and Miyata sensei taught take down techniques utilizing the combination of balance and pain. Their detailed explanation of when to utilize Gyaku gote and nuki waza (Escaping Techniques) really showed how much they care for the kenshi's technique to continuously improve.

Upon completion of the Shorinji Kempo practice, the Westminster-California branch students served Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Vietnamese and American food to all of the 57 kenshi and their respective families, followed by dessert; Apple pie, Strawberry cheese cake, cup cakes and fruit salads.

These get-togethers are great for learning techniques, sharing teaching methods, meeting new Kenshi, seeing familiar faces and having good time in the true meaning of the Shorinji Kempo Spirit! Westminster-California Branch would like to thank the Caltech, South Bay, San Diego, Industry Sheriff and Los Angeles branches for their heartfelt support! We look forward to practicing with all of the students and branch masters in the near future.

Gassho!
Pankaj

 

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